anybody been to Ireland?

I'm planning a trip to Ireland this August (for my 50th).
Looking for recommendations on places to stay (hotels in Dublin area) and maybe a car rental company. I've been looking for things to do on tripadvisor.

I really don't want to do any bus trips and be tied to a schedule. I don't want to be doing something and a bus driver or someone saying "time to go".

I'll probably be there 5 or 6 full days.

 

I visited Ireland a few years ago. I flew in and out of Dublin.

In Dublin I stayed at the Eliza Lodge. I just looked it up and it’s changed to Handels Hotel. It’s in the Temple bar area, near the Millennium Bridge. This area was busy. I’m not saying that it’s not a good place, but if you’re normally in bed by 9 pm, this might not be the best place for you.

There’s no shortage of places to get a pint in Dublin.

There are several museums, cathedrals, and the Dublin Castle is worth seeing. I enjoyed getting out of the city and seeing the countryside more.

I rented a car from Hertz. I drive a six speed manual Tacoma, but when they found out that I was from the US, they rented me an automatic transmission car.

I drove north to Belfast and went to the Titanic Exhibition Museum.

I hope that you have a great time in Ireland.

 

The Closest I got to Ireland was at Tipsy's McStagger's after 9 or 10 rounds I swore I was in Ireland ......

 

Thanks for the tips. I've read that they charge you more for an automatic over there. I can drive stick so hopefully that's what I'll get.

 

You’re welcome. I didn’t get charged more for the automatic.

 

I rented a stick when I was there and drove around the entire island. Just stopped when and wherever I saw something cool. I really enjoyed not being tied to a schedule like you mentioned, and being able to just do my own thing. The little back country roads were epic

 

I just went to Ireland last month for the second time. By far my favorite place was County Donegal. If you can, spend a few days there as it is amazing scenery. Do as many B&B’s as possible, the people that run them are fantastic and very hospitable. As for recommendations, just ask your waitress at a restaurant or pub and they will give you an awesome rundown of the best things to see for where you are.

Some of my favorite places are Giants Causeway, Port Rush has an awesome waterfront, Glenveagh, Belfast, Avoca Mill, Waterford and pretty much the remainder of the country as well.

Derry/Londonderry is a fantastic city. If you make it there, go to the Sooty Olive Restaurant they have incredible food and even better service.

If you go to Belfast stay at the Belfast B&B, look it up on booking.com. Andrew is a fantastic host, and it is just a lovely place to stay.

If you have any specific questions about any place I’ll try and answer it to the best of my ability if I’ve been there.

 

I went a few years back, When I go again ( hopefully soon), I'll stay on the west side of Ireland for the most authentic Irish experience.

 

I went there two years ago, it was amazing! We spent 10 days there. I rented a car stick shift but don’t remember from who. Was kinda of weird getting use to driving on the wrong side of car and road.
Definitely don’t spend all your time in Dublin. It is just a big city. Some cool things but really touristy. Go see the cliff of moher. Also the dingle peninsula was awesome! Try to find a castle to go see as well. Kiss the Blarney Stone. We only did one bus trip and that was to Belfast to see titanic and giants causeway which was a great experience for a bus trip.

As far as places to stay, we just stayed at Airbnb places. Was cheaper than hotels.

 

Ordered my plane tickets yesterday. I'm now looking at hotels and things to do at tripadvisor.com.
I'll be having dinner with my sister and her boyfriend (they are tagging along) to plan our trip.

 

I've been 15 times, split between business and vacation. How can I help?

 

We are renting a 2 bedroom apartment through AirBnB in Dublin. It's cheaper than a hotel.
I have no itinerary, yet.

 

@cmack

Didn’t you go to Ireland?

 

Got my itinerary figured out for the most part.
Dublin for 4 days, Galway for 2 days then back to Dublin.
Renting a hotel in Galway for one night, also renting a hotel at the Dublin airport the last night I'm there.
Got my international driving permit, a couple Euro so I have cash on me when I get there, and I rented a car (Volkswagen Jetta, diesel, manual transmission).

 

Ireland was incredible. And the women...wow.

Few shots from my trip there over new years...

 

Which part did you go? Dublin?

 

Dublin, then a bus tour to Blarney. Didn't kiss the stone.

 

Went to Shannon a few times....

 

I had a port call in Dublin, and the Irish are the friendliest people I've met overseas...by a long shot!

Enjoy the pubs, but recommend either using cabs or going to ones within walking distance.